GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- An investigation continues into how a 4-year-old boy ended up wandering around by himself in a Southwest Side neighborhood early Friday morning, Jan. 17, about two blocks from his family's home.

An hour after he was returned to his family, a social services caseworker was interviewing the child's mother inside her basement apartment on Dickinson Street SW. The mother, through a Spanish/English interpreter, declined to talk with a reporter about what happened, or about her son.

The boy initially was returned to his father, who arrived home from work to find police at the Dickinson Street home.

A 911 caller at about 5:19 a.m. reported finding the young boy walking by himself in the area of Griggs Street and Buchanan Avenue and was concerned for his well-being. It was dark and only about 24 degrees outside.

A police officer arriving in the area reported the boy "did not have much on."

Officers reportedly followed footprints in the snow to trace the boy's path back to a residence a few blocks away. Houses in the area are located close together and vehicles lined the street Friday morning.

Officers initially were challenged by a language barrier with the mother.

Lt. John Bylsma earlier said the boy was not injured and, based on his condition, he did not appear to have been out for very long.